Animated toy



P 1936- I c. B. WINCOTE 2,054,567

ANIMATED TOY Filed April 7, 1936- 2Sheets-Sheetl INVENTOIZ. 4 CHARLES E), WINCOTE:

ATTORNEzY Sept. 15', 1936; a W E 2,054,567

ANIMATED TOY Q Filed April 7, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG .4.- v \l/ INVENTOIZI CHAELE 1b. WINCOTE,

ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 15, i936 ANIMATED TOY Charles B. Wincote, San Diego, Calif., assignor oi one-third to Cameron A, Peace, San Diego, and one-sixth to Norman D. Mayne and one- Eixth to Donald A. Briggs, both of Encinitas,

Application April 1, 1936, Serial No. 73,074

'1 Claims. (01. 46 104) My invention relates to animated toys, and its objects are better to produce characteristic movements of body members in the operation of the toy, to effect such movements at a substantial reduction of wear upon the operative parts, to

eliminate jars and bumps in the rotation of the wheels upon which the toy is mounted, to render -more lifelike and striking natural movements simulated by the toy, and in general to simplify and render more effective the operation of the several parts.

I am aware that there are now on the market numerous devices constituting toys for the amusement of the young, in which devices the walk and motions of various toy figures are effected. These figures may be actuated by springs or. other mechanism, or may be manually operated by pushing or dragging the toy over some surface, such progression serving to cause the toy to perform lifelike, grotesque or amusing movements of the head, arms, wings, tail, legs or other parts thereof. -In some of such devices, legs and feet are operated by the wheels upon which the figure is mounted, the rotation of such wheels bringing about a movement of the feet which effectually creates the appe rance of walking. These wheeled devices, however, are open to the objection that the rotation of the wheels is often uneven and produces jumps and Jars which impair the lifelike simulation of the walk, and which also increases'the wear uponthe operative parts.

My invention is primarily adapted to be incorporated'in a bird-like toy, mounted-upon a -pair of wheels, which wheels are provided with inclined slots in which are inserted the ends of broad strips of flapping material serving to simulate feet, the forward movement ofthe toy being 'efiected manually to cause the wheels to revolve and to create the appearance :of a lifelike waddling movement.

My invention further consists in the various improvements and novel arrangement of parts illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter de- 45- scribed and claimedr Attention is hereby directed to the drawings in which similar numerals of designation refer to similar parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1' represents a side elevation of a pre-" pping of the wings through'the rotation of the leg flaps. 4

Referring to the drawings, the body 4 of the toy, here shown in the form of a duck, is made i of wood or other suitable material and is mounted upon wheels 1 similar material. Within slots III, one of which is formed in each .wheel 1 and inclined to the periphery thereof, are thrust broad fiat strips of elastic or other suitable material, forming fiaps B, which are shaped and colored to represent legs and feet. To secure the best results, I find it desirable to make the wheels 1 of substantial thickness in order that the slots Ill therein may be of such width and depth as properly to hold andcontain the ends of the flaps reposing therein, and to ensure a fiat flapping contact of the free ends of said flaps when the same are dashed upon the ground. Preferably, one of these two flaps is attached to tone of the wheels circumferentially a, little in advance of the point ,of attachment of the fiap on the other wheel, in order that the former fiap may touch the ground or floor before the latter, for-the purpose of creating the appearance of successive steps. Although I may use tacks, screws or other metallic fastenings in securing either of the flaps within the slots -ill, such fastenings may,'if desired, be dispensed with and good results secured by merely wedging the ends of the fiaps within such slots.

In order that the wheels '1 maybe kept in proper alignment, I preferably employ the construction shown in Figs. 2 and 3, wherebyth'e ends of the axle 9 are each firmly held in the sockets II by means of the pin 8,- ofiset in .the manner indicated. Such construction serves to hold the. wheels .1 always in operative position and to co-operate with the flaps 6 to bring about the waddling movement-hereinafter referred to. Washers l2 upon the axle 9 serve to keep the wheels 'I in proper spaced relation with the body 4 and to avoid friction therebetween. A- stick l3, one end of which engages with the hole It in the top of the body 4, is provided as a means for pushing the toy over the door or ground with which the wheels are incontact. Wings 5 of material similar to the flaps 6 are secured in the groove l5 near the top of the body 4. By inclining the slots ill of the wheels .1 in the'manner shown in the drawings, I am able to furnish a means of smoothly winding the flaps 6 upon the periphery of said wheels, when the same are rotated, until said flaps are cleared from conagainst the under surfaces of .the wings I and thereby cause the same to flop up and down alternately in a lifelike manner. (See Fig. 4.) As the flaps 6 through such rotation are carried 2. In an animated top, a figure, wheels upon which said figure is mounted, said wheels being provided with slots inclined to theperiphery thereof, combined with flaps'engaging with said slots and arranged to simulate body members and manual means for actuating said toy and producing an animated appearance of said members.

means for causing alternate movements of each of said wings in conjunction with alternate movements of each of said flaps.

CHARLES B. WINCO'I'E.

CERTIFICATE or CORRECTION.

further, the free ends thereof will become clear 3. In an animated top, a figure, wheels upon 5 of the wings and will pass over the wheels I which said figure is mounted, said wheels being and descend upon the floor with a pronounced provided with slots inclined to the periphery flop and simulate in a realistic-manner the well thereof, combined with flaps engaging with said known waddle of a duck or goose. slots and arranged to simulate legs and feet and 10 In operating the toy, it is placed in'an upright manual means for actuating said wheels and 10 position upon the floor or ground and the stick producing the appearance of walking.

13 is grasped firmly in the hand of the operator. 4. In an animated toy, a figure, a pair of wheels Upon the stick I3 being thrust forward, the wheels upon which said figure is mounted, each of said 1 are caused to revolve, and the flaps 5 made suc-" wheels being provided with a slot inclined to the 15 cessively to come first in contact with the wings periphery thereof, and the slot of one wheel be- 5 5 and then to: flop upon the ground, thereby causing circumferentially in advance of the slot in ing the figureto proceed with flapping wings and. the other, combined with flaps engaging with said with the appearance of a waddling movement slots and arranged to simulate alternate movewhich is lifelike and amusing. ments of body members.

While I have described and illustrated my in- 5. Inan animated toy, the body of a birdlike 20 ventlon as embodied in the preferred form above figure, wheels of substantial width upon which set forth, I by no means desire to limit myself to said body is mounted, said .wheels being provided such form. As is obvious other forms might be I with slots of substantial depthand inclined to the employed without departing from the spirit and pe phe y thB eOLCO b BG- broad fl t Strips purpose of my invention. The present embodiof elastic material the ends of which engage with 25 ment is therefore to be considered, in all respects, said slots and leave free broad flapping blades to as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the u ate s and e tinvention being indicated by the appended claims, 6. In an animated toy, an axle, a figure.mount rather than by the foregoing description,- and all ed upon said axle, wheels having sockets'extendchanges which come within the meaning and ing nearly therethrough and being provided with range of equivalency of any of the elements of slots inclined to the periphery thereof, said sockihe claims are therefore intended to be embraced ets engag n h the ends of Said a and 86-- therein. cured thereto by an offset pin combined with flaps What I claim and desire to secure by Letters engaging with said slots and having the appear- Patent is: ance of legs and feet. 35

1. In an animated toy, a figure, wheels upon 7. In an animated toy, a figure, two movable which said figure is mounted, said wheels being flappin win s atta d t sa d fi u tw wh ls provided with slots inclined to the periphery upon which said figure is mounted, said wheels thereof, combined with flaps engaging with said being pr v with Slots, two p Simulating slots and arranged to simulate body members. feet and engaging with said slots, combined with 40 Patent No. 2,054,567. September 15. 19:56.

' CHARLES B. WINCOTE.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent nequiring correction as follows: Page 2, first column, line 41, claim .2, and second column, line 5, claim 3, for the word "top" read toy; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office. I

Signed and sealed this let day of December A. D. 1936.

Henry Van Arsdale (Seal) ActingCommissioner of Patents.

against the under surfaces of .the wings I and thereby cause the same to flop up and down alternately in a lifelike manner. (See Fig. 4.) As the flaps 6 through such rotation are carried 2. In an animated top, a figure, wheels upon which said figure is mounted, said wheels being provided with slots inclined to theperiphery thereof, combined with flaps'engaging with said slots and arranged to simulate body members and manual means for actuating said toy and producing an animated appearance of said members.

means for causing alternate movements of each of said wings in conjunction with alternate movements of each of said flaps.

CHARLES B. WINCO'I'E.

CERTIFICATE or CORRECTION.

further, the free ends thereof will become clear 3. In an animated top, a figure, wheels upon 5 of the wings and will pass over the wheels I which said figure is mounted, said wheels being and descend upon the floor with a pronounced provided with slots inclined to the periphery flop and simulate in a realistic-manner the well thereof, combined with flaps engaging with said known waddle of a duck or goose. slots and arranged to simulate legs and feet and 10 In operating the toy, it is placed in'an upright manual means for actuating said wheels and 10 position upon the floor or ground and the stick producing the appearance of walking.

13 is grasped firmly in the hand of the operator. 4. In an animated toy, a figure, a pair of wheels Upon the stick I3 being thrust forward, the wheels upon which said figure is mounted, each of said 1 are caused to revolve, and the flaps 5 made suc-" wheels being provided with a slot inclined to the 15 cessively to come first in contact with the wings periphery thereof, and the slot of one wheel be- 5 5 and then to: flop upon the ground, thereby causing circumferentially in advance of the slot in ing the figureto proceed with flapping wings and. the other, combined with flaps engaging with said with the appearance of a waddling movement slots and arranged to simulate alternate movewhich is lifelike and amusing. ments of body members.

While I have described and illustrated my in- 5. Inan animated toy, the body of a birdlike 20 ventlon as embodied in the preferred form above figure, wheels of substantial width upon which set forth, I by no means desire to limit myself to said body is mounted, said .wheels being provided such form. As is obvious other forms might be I with slots of substantial depthand inclined to the employed without departing from the spirit and pe phe y thB eOLCO b BG- broad fl t Strips purpose of my invention. The present embodiof elastic material the ends of which engage with 25 ment is therefore to be considered, in all respects, said slots and leave free broad flapping blades to as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the u ate s and e tinvention being indicated by the appended claims, 6. In an animated toy, an axle, a figure.mount rather than by the foregoing description,- and all ed upon said axle, wheels having sockets'extendchanges which come within the meaning and ing nearly therethrough and being provided with range of equivalency of any of the elements of slots inclined to the periphery thereof, said sockihe claims are therefore intended to be embraced ets engag n h the ends of Said a and 86-- therein. cured thereto by an offset pin combined with flaps What I claim and desire to secure by Letters engaging with said slots and having the appear- Patent is: ance of legs and feet. 35

1. In an animated toy, a figure, wheels upon 7. In an animated toy, a figure, two movable which said figure is mounted, said wheels being flappin win s atta d t sa d fi u tw wh ls provided with slots inclined to the periphery upon which said figure is mounted, said wheels thereof, combined with flaps engaging with said being pr v with Slots, two p Simulating slots and arranged to simulate body members. feet and engaging with said slots, combined with 40 Patent No. 2,054,567. September 15. 19:56.

' CHARLES B. WINCOTE.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent nequiring correction as follows: Page 2, first column, line 41, claim .2, and second column, line 5, claim 3, for the word "top" read toy; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office. I

Signed and sealed this let day of December A. D. 1936.

Henry Van Arsdale (Seal) ActingCommissioner of Patents. 

